Merlin

Extract: Merlin, Series 1, Episode 1.

 The beginning shot in the castle are cut short showing Merlin is in a place he shouldn’t be and connotates this is not where he belongs. Another shot suggesting his class and status is when Merlin walks down the stairs (long shot). The shot then cuts when he reaches the bottom to show where he fits in regarding his class- he is at the lower end of the class division. Also his status reflects he is at the bottom end due to his positioning.

After this Merlin gets into a fight with Arthur, during this there was an action shot where one of the edits is in slow motion , this shot was then repeated straight after itself to show the significance of character and his importance, role and status during the fight.

Special effects are used effectively to show status when we see the rich woman in the mirror. She is then reflected at an older witch like lady, to possibly show her magical skills are on a higher level than Merlin’s, she is wiser/older than him in this sense.

When Merlin and the woman talk, cross cutting is used to create suspense which helps the audience to understand both character and were they fit in socially. The woman is in fact shown for longer, this gives the audience the idea she is of more importance then Merlin therefore of a higher status.

The people of higher class and status seem to have longer shots, Merlin has short snappy shots representing he is of less significance in the class division.

Throughout this clip, continuity has been shown through the clothes Merlin wears, these clothes are rough and shabby highlighting he is of a lower class and represented his lack of money as he only has one outfit.

The Woman was wearing a royal purple coloured dress and jewellery showing wealth, this makes us assume she is of a higher status.  Arthur wears armour and appears to be a knight, the colour silver reflecting money and also makes him look stronger.  He also has blonde, long, neat hair that contrasts to Merlin’s shabby, dark brown hair.  Showing he may not take as much pride in his appearance or can not afford to do so. Arthur knows how to use the weapon- Merlin pretends to know and attempts to use it, he also did not have his own weapon this may be because he is not trained to the standard Arthur is, or that he is unable to afford his own – reflecting the difference in class.

The castle is bright from the outside, inside all the things are dark yet colourful, and there were fires and big stained glass reflecting wealth. The big open windows contrast with the dull tainted market that Arthur appears in. It looks old and browning and is busy and noisy. We can tell that the same class of people work here and live their lives on the stalls. Heavily contrasted with the quiet and peaceful castle.  

When Merlin goes into the room, the music is intense and eerie to create atmosphere, suggesting he shouldn’t be there and it is not where he belongs. A contrast to this is when we hear playful music when they are fighting, music outside is happier, suggesting this is where Merlin is better off- where he belongs , referencing to the Binary Theory.  After the fight we hear low violins which links to death and funerals, this also brings the mood down with a sudden shift in tone. 

The accents from all characters are quite posh; however is it more noticeable in the woman’s and Arthur’s voices which connatates they are better off and higher up on the wealth scale.  The dialogue links to this too. Arthur was referred to as ‘Your Highness’  showing he is by far of a higher status.  Another way that dialogue is used is when the old man and Merlin are having a conversation.  He seems to be almost telling off Merlin and acting at a father figure showing the staus in a family.

 When the scene begins there is an establishing shot of the castle room, to show the audience where the action is taking place. We are aware, from this point that Arthur does not fit in with his surroundings due to his appearance, but also his behaviour.

Over the shoulder shot have been used, between the posh woman and Merlin, to connotate the contrast between their classes, but to also show both their points of view.

The camera angle looks down on Merlin to represent that he is of a lower class; this is in contras t with most of the Mid-shots that Arthur is seen in. A lot of mid-shots have been used to represent their class through their clothing, but it also emphasises their facial expressions.

When the fight takes place they have used a hand held cam, to make the audience feel more involved with the action, this makes you believe you are really there- also shows the class of this time as a whole, how it was seen as normal to have fights in the streets.  

The old man looks out the window when Merlin is fighting- this is a low angle shot showing he’s higher up physically and metaphorically.  We are also aware of his views at this point as he is above the fight and does not want to get involved.

When they do shots of Merlin it is just him, which represents that he’s alone, but it could also represent that he’s a significant character, whereas Arthur has armoured peasants around him to show that he is more royal/important and powerful character- we are aware of class and status through this method.

When Merlin walks along the hallway, it's a very short cut and we only see his back, showing that he isn't of a high significance and we don't need to see his face. However when the woman walks along the hallway, we see all of her face and it's a long take. The music climax's showing she is so important everything needs to be 'stepped up a level' when she is around. When she walks into the room, there is diagetic sound, foley sound of her heels, which could have been used to emphasis her entrance. However when Merlin walks in we do not hear his footsteps, showing that the woman is important and we need to hear every move she makes, whereas people in the diegisis are a lot less interested in Merlin.

When Merlin walks out there is a high angle shot, looking down on him. This shows how everyone in the castle and that kind of environment is looking down at him and how he is below them socially. Whereas we soon see a juxtaposition between angles, as we are at his eye level in the market, suggesting that that is where he belongs and no one is looking down on him there. Binary opposition is also suggested, as the castle is clean and tidy and not many people are there (suggesting that only a 'select few' can achieve that wealth) whereas in the market it is quite messy, with a lot of people.

In the market, the blonde knight has his body guards behind him and whereas no one is behind Merlin. This could be intepreted differently, as the blonde knight could be intepreted as more powerful with lots of supporters and people to back him up. However he also could be intepreted as being less powerful as he needs those people there to fight for him and protect him, whereas Merlin doesn't need anyone to help him or fight his battles for him

The crowd noise completely stops when Merlin is rude. 'How long have you been training to be a prat', shows that rudeness to people of a higher status is very unexpected and standing up for yourself is not usually expected of them. The camera angle is a over the shoulder eye level shot, which suggests merlin thinks they're at the same level and that the blonde knight is no better than him. The lighting is quite dark, which shows social class, they literally can't afford lights.